Looking @ the above car for the wife-mobile. Body is mint, full records with quite high miles. I currently own a 135 000 mile 244 and have absolutely no problems with it. What is the true servicable life of the venerable 23 or 230? I know some last into the 300 or 400 k miles, but how often does that happen?

I have only had good luck with the members of the board...give me your honest opinions.
Thanks,
Mike Harvey

1982 244 DL B21A Virgos and lots of Swedish Panache

If the body is mint you are far better of than I. My wife's daily driver (84 245 302K B23F) has an amazing engine, but it's not pretty. I checked compression last year and got 180-180-185-180. At that time it had 285K miles on it.
Keep the intake clean, keep up regular maintenance items, watch the rust behind the rear wheels and passenger side footwell. My engine area wiring harness fell prey to heat related deterioration(a common problem), I replaced the affected wiring, but it may be better to buy a wiring harness and replace it.
This car has been in 2 minor scrapes and 1 side impact without much damage at all. The other cars involved had from $1500-$3500 damage. The side impact hit the drivers door at 40mph and only damaged the door skin. The bar that crosses the inside of the door was not bent at all. I do not mind at all that my wife drives my child in an almost 20 year-old car if it performs like this.
You own a 244 already, so you know they are nice to drive. If the only other question is how long it lasts I can't tell you until mine dies. I think that may be a few miles along the way.
Heed the advice of the BBers. This is your best resource.
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Alfixit '84 245 302K

The engine, given proper preventive maintenance, will be the last thign to go. Around here, it seems about every 3rd car on the road is a Volvo. Old 240's abound. Most of the older cars are havign rust problems. We always say if this was Phoenix or someplace like that, we could drive them until we die and pass them down to our grandchildren. If you've found a good clean car, that's 80% of the way to having a good reliable car. The wiring harness is another 10%. The rest is simply all the common stuff that any car would need:
Brakes, tires, exhaust, tuneup items, filters, front end wear parts, and a couple of odds-and-ends electrical items.
Absolutely replace the fuel pump relay if the date on it is > 7yrs old.
All the rest are items you can do yourself or pay not-too-much to get repaired. There's very little on these cars you can't service yourself.

I know of many cars around here with equal mileage to that, and my own Swedish Armada totals over 600K on all-original engines and transmissions.
1986 244DL, 205K... 1987 244DL, >220K ... 1988 744GLE, 191K
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Rob Bareiss, New London, CT 86 244, 87 244, 88 744

Add about $1200 to the price for new suspension bushings and front struts, in addition to the regular "Zero Mile" list of stuff. UNLESS, you have compelete books and records and know that stuff has been done.

Also, that year is susectible to the crumbling insulation problem in the main wiring harness. Look at the wires going into the gray connector moounted about midway on the firewall, also look at the small wires to the oil pressure sender and the alternator.

Check thoroughly for rust, including back of the fuse panel and under the carpets. The lower fender behind the rear wheel well is another spot.

There are other things, but my 1986 244GL has estimated 240,000 miles and it's OK. Not perfect, needs thing now like W/W wiper motor, brake light switch, and a tie rod or two.

The life-span is what you make it, barring things out of your control.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)